Clinical-thermometer casing.



o. W. BOMVAN. GLINIGAL THERMOMETER cAsING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1911. l

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0..wAsmNarDN. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.I

CLAES W. BOMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOE TO CHARLES J'. TAGLIABUE, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CLINICAL-THERMOMETER CASING.

Application filed September 8, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAES W7. BOMAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings,

city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clinical-Thermometer Casings, of which the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to devices for returning the mercury to the bulb of a clinical thermometer and has for its particular object to construct the usual carrying case for such thermometers in such a manner that the same in addition to serving as a protecting or carrying medium for clinical thermometers may also be utilized as a means for generating centrifugal force for returning the mercury to the thermometer bulb after a reading has been taken.

My invention will be fully described hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a thermometer casing constructed according to my invention with the thermometer in position therein. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the case in use as a device for returning the mercury to the thermometer bulb and with the parts in a different position from that shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a similar view of the upper portion of the casing taken in a plane at right angles to the sectional plane of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, the casing comprises a tubular body portion or main section 5 having its one end closed in the usual manner and its opposite end open. A secondary or thermometer carrying section 6 fits snugly into the open end of the section 5, in such a manner as to be rotatable relatively thereto, said section G being provided with a tubular stem 7 of reduced diameter and extending lengthwise of the section 5. An externally screw-threaded projection 8. extends from the lower end of the stem 7, and is in screw-threaded engagement with a bearing sleeve 9, which has a screw-threaded axial opening for the accommodation of said projectio-n. This bearing sleeve is frictionally secured in the section 5, and is preferably provided with a roughened portion 10, adapted to make the connection between said sleeve and the section 5 a rigid one. A

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912. Serial No. 648,364.

nut or other stop 11, arranged to cooperate with said sleeve in a manner to be described hereinafter, is screwed or otherwise secured upon a reduced portion of the projection 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. A coiled spring 12 extends lengthwise of and surrounds the tubular stem 7, and has its one end 13 secured to the sleeve 9 and its other end 14 secured to the thermometer carrying section 6 for the purpose to be more clearly brought out further on in the description. The free open end of the thermometer carrying section 6 is preferably screw-threaded as indicated at 15 for the accommodation of a screw-threaded neck 16 of a. cap 17, in which the one end of the thermometer 18 is rigidly secured, said Acap being provided With a flange 20 which serves as a stop to limit the inward screwing movement of the neck 16. The said thermometer carrying section is further provided with diametrically opposite openings 19 of a size to permit the thermometer 18, to be readily inserted therethrough.

From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will readily be seen that when the screw-threaded neck 16 is screwed into the end 15 of the thermometer carrying section 6, the casing serves as a protecting or carrying medium with the thermometer extending axially or lengthwise thereof in the usual manner. `When it is desired to take a temperature the thermometer is remo-ved from the case by simply unscrewing the neck 16 from the end 15, after which the thermometer may be used in the usual and ordinary way. After a reading has been had and it is desired-to return the mercury to the bulb of said thermometer, the tube thereof is passed through the openings :19.with its axis extending at substantially right angles to the axis of the casing as clearly shown in Fig. 2. In this condition of the parts, the sleeve 16 serves as a stop and butt-s against the wall of the thermometer carrying section 6 to prevent the thermometer from being forced through the openings 1S) in one direction. The main sect-ion 5 of the casing is now held in one hand, preferably with the axis thereof extending in a horizontal direction and with the other hand the thermometer is moved in a circular path. This will cause the thermometer carrying section 6, the tubular stem 7, projection 8 and stop 11 tobe rotated about their common axis and relatively i to the section 5 and the bearingv sleeve and will twist or torsionally wind the spring' 1Q, rotative movement ot the bearing sleeve 9 relatively to the sentieri 5 being prevented by the roug'hened portion 10. rthe toi sional winding ot the spring, or in other worden the rotation of the section t5, and with 1t the tubular stem l and screw-tln'eacled projection 8, to thus wind or twist the spring 12, will cause a movement ot said thermometer carrying' section (l and its connected parts in the direction ot its axis owing' to the screwthread-ed eiigag'ement between the pro]ection 8 and the screw-threaded arial opening); ot l l 'l-U if* (l inl ftd l1" o' r 1e )caring s tu c l ils cnw mise more ment will continue until the nut 11 1s brought into engagement with the transverse iortion or shoulde 9 et the bearing sleeve t). whereupon such leiigthwise movei t ltl 't t" fe 1 t 'cliltl ien an( .ie retain. moicmen oi tie ici monieter cari' mp; section and consequently the torsional wmdmrg et the spring will be arrested. fitter the spring' has been thus wound or twisted it will 4 tert, a torsional Stress upon the sections 5 and G, and have a tendency to move the thermometer carrying section 1n a rotative direction opposite to that in which the spring 12 was wouiuh as soon as the restraining mt'luence of the hand of the user is removed `from the thermometer. lllhen the thern'iometer 1s released this torsional stress will rotate the said thermometer carrying' section G in said opposite direction about its own ams and will rapidly 'whirl or swing the thermometer in a` circular path, rPhe centrifugal torce lgenerated throun'h this rapid whirl or swinging of the thermometer will cause the mercury to tlv toward the mercury bulb and thus back to normal positioin the screw-threaded neck 1F meanwhile preventing; said centrifugal torce from forcing the thermometer tube out oit the openings 19. luring` this reverse movement of the thermometer carrying; section, or in other words, during the circular whirlinp; or swinging' of the theri'nometer described, the thermometer carrying' section G, tubular stem i and screw-tlu'eadcd projection S will move lengthwise ot the casing in a. direction opposite to that in which these parts moved during the winding' of the spring', such reverse lengthwise movement continuing; until the shoulder 7a oit the stem 7 comes into contact with the surface ot the bearing' sleeve 9, as shown in Fig. 1.j and then being arrested.

During' the operations just described as before stated the casina` is pre'lierably held in a horimmtal position with the thermometer dep-ending; trom the section G. at the beginning' oit said operations and the shoulder 7a is so located that at the end ot the whirling' or swinging' oli the thermometer as the spring unwinds, the parts will have returned yto the same position and the thermometcr will again depend in the same manner. 'this construction does away with the possibility of the thermometer accidentally dropping out of the openings 19 at the end ot the whirling motion, or after the mcrcury has been returned to the bulb, as might be the case if, for instance, at the end of the whirling movement the cap 17 and neck '1G 'were below the axis of the casing with the thermometer projecting upwardly. 1n other words, the neck 1G and cap 1T at all times prevent an accidental dislocation oit the thermometer when the device is in use. To further guard against accidental removal ot the thermometer trom the openings 19, I may provide the resilient fingers Q1 located on opposite sides of a line passing through he openings 1) and exerting; a pressure toward each other to grip the thermometer as shown in 3. These Vlingers 21 may be secured in the section G in any suitable manner; ter instance, shown in Fig'. 3, these iina'ers 21 may project upwardly from a sleeve 22, which is in trictional engagement with the inner surface oit the sleeve t3.

1t will be seen that my improvement provides a ready and easily manipulated mev Clium for returning the mercury to the bulb et' the thermometei.` and does away with the isual and dangerous shaking' or jerking ot the thermometer.` an operation Ywhich otttimes results in injury to the thernumieter v'hen performed by inexperienced persons. The operation ot returning` the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer also much quicker when my improved device used than it is with the ordinary shaking or j# 'kingl of said thermometer, so that the thermometer may be made ready for successive use in a minimum period ot time. My improved device, therefore? overcomes one et the lgreatest objections to the use ot a clinical thermometer by inexperienced persons and also provides a simplilied means for quickly returning` the mercury to the thermometer bulb for use by experienced persons, such as physicianse nurses and the like.

1t is to be understood that while 1 prefer to make my improved device in the form et a casing which may be used as a medium for carrying and protecting' the thermometer when not in use, this need not necessarily be so. 1n other words, my improvement may be an instrument by itselt and may be Used in connection with or as an auxiliary to the ordinary thermometer easing' without any function as a case but serving' only as a device for returning' the mercury to the bulb of the thermometer. With my improved eonstruction it is absolutely impossible to overwind the spring` 1Q, and it is also impossible tor the thermometer to accidentally drop from the openings 19 after the device has been used tor the purpose o t psa ' the thermometer tube so that it the neck 16 should no-t exactly tit the end 15 of the section G and the thermometer have a tendency to wabble, this tendency would be practically overcome by said stem. The said stem also serves as an additional protecting me` dium so that with my improved construction when the device is in the form of a thermometer' casing the said thermo-meter is doubly protected against breakage or other injury-when not in use. It is further to be understood that the thermometer may be secured in the section 6 in the position shown in Fig. 1 in other ways than through the medium of a screw threaded neck and cap 17. In addition to this, if found desirable, the clamping fingers 21 may be omitted, in which case the opening 19 would preferably be made of a diameter to frictionally engage the thermometer tube when the thermometer is in the position shown in Fig. 2. The spring 12, in addition to serving as a medium for producing a whirling of the thermometer, also serves to maintain the thermometer carrying section in position in the section 5 and to preventaccidental axial displacement thereof.

Various changes in the specilic construction shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the nature of my inventio-n.

I claim 1. A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer comprising two sections movable relatively to each other,

` one of said sections forming a thermometercarrying section and being provided with a means for removably connecting a thermometer therewith, 'means for moving said thermometer carrying section relatively to the other section and means for arresting the movement of said thermometer carrying section.

2. A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer comprising two sect-ions movable relatively to each other, one of said sections being provided with a means for removably connecting a thermometer therewith, a normally inactive means connected with each section and adapted to be brought to an active condition by a relative movement of said sections and then to move said thermometer carrying section to return the mercury to the bulb and means for arresting the movement of said sections.

3. A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermo-meter comprising two sections movable relatively to each other, one of said sections being provided with a means for removably connecting a thermometer therewith, a normally inactive means connected with each section and adapted to be brought to an active condition by a movement ot the thermometer carryingY section in one direction and then to move said thermometer carrying section in another direct-ion to return the mercury to the bulb and means for arresting the movement of said thermometer carrying section in both directions.

4t. A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer comprising two sections rotatable relatively to each other, one of saidsections being provided with means for supporting a thermometer with its axis extending across the axis of said section, means arranged to rotate the thermometer carrying section relatively to the other section and a stop for arresting the movement of said thermometer carrying section.

5. A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer comprising two sections rotatable relatively to each other, one of said sections being provided with means for supporting a thermometer with its axis extending across the axis of said section, means arranged to rotate the thermometer carrying section relatively to the other section and a stop connected with said thermometer carrying section for arresting the movement thereof.

6. A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer comprising a main section and a thermometer carrying section extending lengthwise thereof, said sect-ions being rotatably relatively to each other, a sleeve rigidly secured interior-ly ot said main section and forming Va bearing for said thermometer carrying section, and a spring connected with said sleeve and said thermometer carrying section, and arranged to be wound to exert a torsional stress on said section and to rotate the thermometer carrying section relatively to the main section when released.

7 A device for returning the mercury to the bulb of a thermometer comprising a main section and a thermometer carrying section rotatable relatively to each other, a bearing sleeve rigidly secured in said main section, a spring connected with said sleeve and said thermometer carrying section and arranged to be wound to exert a torsional stress on said sections and to rotate the thermometer section relatively to the main section when released and a stop connected with said thermometer carrying section adapted to engage said bearing sleeve to arrest .the winding of the spring.

S. device for returning the mercury to the hull) ot a tliermonleter eomprifeing main Section and a tliern'lometer carrying Sextion rotatable relatively to each other7 a hearing sleeve rigidly secured in said main Section. a Spring connected with said sleeve and said thermometer carrying Section and arranged to lie womid to exert a torsional sti-eee on said eeetione and to rotate the 'hermolneter Section relatively to the main Section when released and a Stop connected with said thermometer carrying section adapted to engage said hearing sleeve to arrest the rotative movement of Said thermometer carrying section.

t deriee for returning the mercury to the hull) of a the 'i iometer comprising a main saaeetion and a thermometer carrying Section rotatable relatively to each other, a hearing Sleeve rigidly Seeured in Said main Section, spring connected with said slheeye and Said thermometer earr ying Section and arranged to lie Wound to exert a toreional Stress on Said Sections and to rotate the thermometer eeetion relatively to the main eeetion when released and a, stop connected with said thermometer carrying section adapted to engage said hearing Sleeve to arrest the winding oi the spring, and to engage said hearing sleeve to arrest the rotatire movement olE said thermon'ieter carrying Section.

l0. it device 'tor returning the mercury to the bullo et a. thermometer comprising a main section and a thermometer carrying section rotatable relatively to eaeh other, a bearing Sleeve, rigidly Secured in Said main Sectionl. and provided 'with a Se1.e'w-tln:eaded axial opening, a spring eomieeted with said Sleeve and aid thermometer carrying Seetion and arranged to he Twound te enert a torsienal stress on. Said Sections and to rotate the tnermometer carrying section relatively to the main section when released, a Stem connected with Said thermometer carrying slseetion haring a Screw-threaded portionvpaasing through and in engagement with the screw-threaded opening ol:l the Sleeve, a Stop on Said stem arranged to en gage Said Sleeve to arrest the Winding of the spring and another stop on Said stem arranged to arrest the rotative movement of Said thermometer earryino' section.

1l. A device for returning the mercury to the bull) oi.l a thermometer comprising two sections movable relatively to each other, one oi said Sections oeing provided with diametrically opposite openings for the aeeommodation at a thermometer, means Jfor moving `Said sections and leaf Springs arranged adjacent to Said openings, said Springs exerting a tension toward each other and adapted to grip the thermometer to prevent accidental dislocation from Said openings.

l2. Si thermometer easing comprising a tubular main Section, a tuliular thermome ter carrying Section rotatably molmted on said main section, a bearing Sleeve rigidly secured in `said main section and provided with a screw threaded axial opening, a spring connected. with said Sleeve and Said thermometer carrying section arranged to bo wound to exert a torsional stress on said aeetione and to rotate the thermometer earryino section relatively to the main section when released, a tubular stem eonneeted with Said thern'iometer carrying section, a Screw-threaded projection on said Stem passing through and engaging said screwthreaded opening of the Sleeve, a stop on .Said projection arranged. to engage said Sleeve to arrest the winding oit the spring and a, Stop on said Stem adapted to arrest the morement of Said thermometer carrying section.

,ln testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand in the preeenee, et two Subscribing witnesses.

CLAES lV. BOMAN.

'Vitnesee Jenin A. lnIfILnNnncn, M. Il. Looiiwoon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Fatents, Washington, D. Gi 

